Rayane Messi: Profile, playing style, scouting report

Rayane Messi is growing into one of the talented youngsters in Ligue 1.

Rayane Messi’s early life and football career

Messi was born in the Paris district of Sèvres, Hauts-de-Seine. His mother is Tunisian, while his father, Zacharie Messi Tanfouri, is Cameroonian of Sudanese heritage. In 2015, he made his football debut by joining FC Chaville, a local team.

When he was younger, his father also enrolled him in futsal in addition to football to help him develop his cardio and accuracy in confined quarters. Because of his above-average physical prowess and technical ability, Messi immediately attracted the attention of the major teams in the area.

Rayane Messi started playing football in 2015 at FC Chaville, a local team. His skill and quick speed soon gained recognition. He was able to transfer to FC Versailles and later join the prestigious Clairefontaine academy in 2020. This academy has produced other French greats like Thierry Henry, Kylian Mbappe, Blaise Matuidi and Nicolas Anelka.

Breakthrough in Messi’s football career

After a stint at the academy, he joined Dijon’s youth team in 2022. Later the player advanced to the first team, making four appearances in the Championnat National campaign.

In May 2024, he made his senior appearance for Dijon against US Orleans, scoring the game-winning goal to become the team’s youngest player and goal scorer.

Rayane Messi signed a contract with the BlueCo-affiliated team. It would keep him there until at least 2027. The teenager moved to Ligue 1 side Strasbourg for €1.5 million at the end of the 2023–2024 season.

International career so far

Messi has represented France’s under-16 and under-17 teams as a young international. He scored two goals to assist France U17 defeat England 2-1 in the Euro U17 Elite Round in March 2024, advancing his team to the championship match. He was included in the France U17 squad for the Euro U17 two months later after joining U16.

Messi’s playing style

Messi’s strength, rapidity, and potential to make an impact in one-on-one scenarios were all lauded by Matthieu Merle, his coach at Versailles. Messi’s height is 175 cm.

The French left winger Rayane Messi is renowned for his strength, quickness, and one-on-one dribbling abilities. He is a challenging opponent for defenders because of his low centre of gravity, which allows him to shift direction and be explosive.

However, he is very young and there is still room for development. He needs to improve his ability to pass the ball well and make consistent decisions. He may also be a little erratic and overconfident when dribbling in the last third. But given he is just 17, he can certainly correct them as he continues to grow.

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